December 1, 2011

This is not the first Chanel towel set, and certainly not the last. So long as there are cruise collections, jet setters will need equally chic towels with matching totes. This is one towel that I would definitely NOT leave pool-side or on the beach though. I would much rather prefer to see it hanging in my bathroom. How luxurious would it be to dry off with a Chanel towel after your shower…after washing with Chanel No.5 bath gel of course!

“Too much may not be enough”
–Karl Lagerfeld, on the Chanel Croisière (Cruise) 2011/12 Collection

Last year Karl Lagerfeld showed the cruise collection in the fishing village of St. Tropez, and this year he hopped over to “the other side of paradise” and showed the cruise collection in Antibes, St. Tropez’s extravagant cousin. The setting for the show was Hotel du Cap – Eden Roc – one of the world’s most luxurious hotels – the kind of place that royalty and celebrities vacation. The setting set the tone for the collection that followed.

The 2011/12 Cruise collection had a bit of everything for the jet setting woman. Whether she was vacationing on the beach or in a cosmopolitan city, she would have something to wear for every occasion. From swimsuits to day suits, from casual pants to evening dresses, there was definitely something for every occasion. The collection featured the signature black and white color palette with hints of color that was reminiscent of the natural surroundings sunshine yellow, lavender and splashes of pink and coral. You could definitely see a bit of the “ladies of leisure” elements such as tennis skirts that brought to mind Daisy Buchanan of The Great Gatsby.

My favorite looks of the show are the black and white color blocked swimsuits, the gorgeously extravagant oversize Chanel beach towels, and swimsuits paired with tweed jackets and color block sweaters. As far as accessories go, I loved the straw boater hats because they were the kind that Mlle. Chanel herself started out wearing. I also adore the multiple strand pearl bracelets that were piled on to models’ wrists and the box-like quilted Chanel bags that were reminiscent of makeup travel cases. I can’t wait to see a close up of those bags! My least favorite looks of the show were the knee-high boots (or were those spats?) with open toes and chiffon bottom dresses (and one with a chiffon midsection). Other than that I thought the collection was very pretty and chic in a laid back way – these clothes were definitely made for vacationing.

Take a look at the full collection below – what do you think of the collection? What are your favorite pieces?

May 6, 2011

Next week, on May 9th, the Chanel Cruise 2011/12 collection will set sail at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Cap d’Antibes, in France. I can’t wait to see what it will look like! The black and white lifesaver from the invitation reminds me of the 2009 Chanel Cruise collection shown in Miami.